Category Archives: General

18 February : Cork Jackets and Drill – tells the story, through original music, songs and narration of the 1886 Southport lifeboat disaster, which claimed the lives of almost all of the crew members of the Southport and St. Anne’s Lifeboats.

The music, songs and script are by Southport based playwright Len Pentin whose work has been performed at local theatres, on BBC Radio Merseyside and at the London Fringe. The six person musical performance with its folk roots tells how the dreadfully impoverished mostly fishermen bravely gave battle one terrible storm-ridden winter night in 1886, in an attempt to save the crew of a ship in distress off Southport Sands.

At the time, the tragedy touched and deeply affected the whole of the UK but it is now sadly, largely forgotten. Cork Jackets and Drill attempts to reinstate the memory of the brave lifeboat men who risked and gave their lives that night for others.

‘And they call us part-time sailors, but we are soul-savers’

In April, some of our members visited Ormskirk Magistrate’s Court for the last time. The Court closed its doors at the end of June.

3 May: After an interesting guided walk around the area known as the Ropewalks in Liverpool, the Athenaeum opened its doors to us for a tour and lunch. The Athenaeum was founded in 1797 as a library and newsroom for gentlemen. During its time it has acquired, usually from donations, an interesting collection of artefacts. We were able to see some recently discovered historical items such as an ‘1836 passport’ used as a bookmark, and the typewriter which belonged to the Liverpool born Nicholas Montserrat, who served in the Royal Navy in WW2, and who based his novel ‘The Cruel Sea‘ on his wartime experiences.

Visit to the Athenaeum in Liverpool

The Athenaeum has a unique library collection

7 June: A warm welcome awaited us in June at Fulwood Barracks, Preston, home of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

The Lancashire Infantry Museum at Fulwood Barracks

Medals galore

7 June: We travelled on to Lancashire Record Office and heard a fascinating presentation of our local history and had the opportunity to see and handle some of our precious documents, maps and ledgers, linking us with our ancestors.

Lancashire Archives tells the story!

Examining the record books

11 June: We enjoyed a Tour and Tales around the Ribble Valley on Saturday 11th June, visiting a few ancient Inns. According to the Ordnance Survey map we were in the centre of the UK when we visited Dunsop Village. Yes, we did have some rain puddles.

Dunsop Bridge

Puddleducks and Puddles!

Remembering

5 July: On our last outdoor visit we walked in the footsteps of Agnes, Kitty and James listening to some of the history of our three humble local history representatives. The photo shows us next to the statue of Kitty Wilkinson in St. George’s Hall.

Agnes Jones worked tirelessly to improve the conditions in Britain’s largest workhouse situated on Brownlow Hill, Liverpool. Kitty Wilkinson is remembered for her selfless humanitarian work especially during the cholera epidemic of 1832. James Carling was a pavement artist known as the `little chalker`.

Kitty Wilkinson’s statue in St. George’s Hall

Much appreciation to our photographers for taking and supplying the photos.

Margaret Gibbon’s sensational Local History Group summer outings have been a testament to her enthusiasm, organisation skills and eye for historical detail.

May: Brief Encounter

A day out for a “Brief Encounter”

The famous clock at Carnforth railway station, featured in the film, “Brief Encounter”

June & September: Houghton Tower and Canal Cruise

December: Did we step back in time at our Lancashire Day celebration?

Town Crier, Don Evans

En garde!

Did we step back in time?

Lancashire Day celebrations

We enjoyed a series of performances  by our Drama Group  followed by refreshments and an impromptu quiz.    A great start to the New Year

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The session covered:

Common Themes–

There are themes which appear in creation mythology which occur in more than one culture.  There are theories as to how these myths became common and widespread.  Perhaps this was spread by travelling people.  They have commonalities with each other which could be explained by similarities in society structure, agricultural environment so could have been used to explain the world.  An alternative view is there is something fundamental within humans which lead to a need to explain things so we do not feel totally helpless.  It formed a basis for discussion at the session.

How would this apply to remote areas of the world such as New Zealand and Australia?

New Zealand Creation Myths–

The New Zealand myths, these have similarities with other cultures creation myths in that they started from darkness (Te Kore) and had the sky (Ranginui the Sky Father) and earth (Papatuanuku the Earth Mother) which were separated to create a space between them.  Then followed explanations for the winds and storms, the stars etc.

It is relatively small, with well-connected communities and the myths were relatively uniform across New Zealand and considered learned.

Australian Creation Myths–

Australia is more fragmented.  The people were more dispersed, separate and isolated with different languages and dialects, living in very different climates and environments.  There are a myriad different myths and legends for creation.  They are on a more human scale.

Dreamtime and ancestor mythology was widespread.  In this time is not linear, the ancestors are still here, transformed, and are part of the world.  Sudden events happen.

Members of the Ballroom Dancing Group enjoyed their 2016 Christmas party at the Ministry Centre Christ Church

Click on photo to enlarge

Monday – 7  November:   We presented a film at The Ministry Centre from 13.30 to 16.30. The cost was between £2-£5 and included tea and cake.

Thursday – 15 December:  We had a Christmas outing to The Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool for a Matinee performance of  ‘The Star – The Big Brilliant Music Hall Show’.  The coach left Aughton Village Hall at 12.30pm.   The cost was £25 which included the theatre ticket and coach.

2014

Local History Group Mystery Tour

2013

2012

2011

2010

Town Crier making the Lancashire Day Proclamation

We had a lively Debate on Foreign Aid – introduced by Mia Faza – followed by Festive Refreshments

The Sunnysiders then gave us a wonderful  variety show.

Monday 5 September: Blackpool Ice Show’

Homeward bound from Betws-y-coed – tired but happy.

Friday 23 September: Trip to St Asaph and Betws-y-coed

Included calling at a mill, a church and a restaurant.

Thursday 15th December:  Christmas Trip to Chatsworth House

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Posing for a group photo at the end of a lovely day out. Click / tap to view full-size.

Topic 1 – Night Picture – Click an image for slideshow Continue reading →

If you missed the last  Speaker Meeting for this year – the ever popular Christmas Concert led by the Choir Group – then click on the gallery  for some pics. They were joined by the Recorder Playing Group, Bill Watkinson playing the church organ and  Tony Crimlisk on drums. It was indeed a well-attended and joyful start to the Christmas season.

If love of food be the music  ……….

Tap or click either photo to see full-size pics of display at Horizons.

Five members of the group attended this visit.  The weather was mostly cloudy and fine but with a few showers and (even fewer) sunny intervals.  The visit coincided with high tide and there were large flocks of geese, ducks and waders.  Unfortunately the hazy conditions made it difficult to identify all the species present.

Click ‘Continue reading’ for the full list of the 34 species seen:

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This was a first for the group and a Comedy Farce in classic Brian Rix style, set in a large house in a remote village: a clinic that offers sanctuary, rest and relaxation therapy to celebs, but has seen better days with just two celebrities. Meanwhile in the same village there is an old folks home. Absolute chaos then ensues when the celebs get mixed up with the old folks, there is a power cut following an explosion, and a “Real” celeb then arrives. The old folks end up as staff, new premises have to be found with make shift rooms, then more chaos following a massive flood, in and out of doors, complicated manoeuvres, narrowly avoiding their naked forms.

A good selection of pictures taken from “Act your Age “

Some nice reviews:-

Ann from St Helens U3A:- “Well done to the cast, we thoroughly enjoyed the performance, everyone worked so hard.”

Mary Hall – All Souls Dramatic club:- “Lot’s of hard work resulted in a very enjoyable evening. The fun and farce was in evidence right from the beginning and the stellar cast managed their energy and exuberance and voice throughout despite many playing more than one role. Given that many of the cast have never been on the stage before and that they range from 59 to 86, I feel that that they must be applauded and I for one look forward to their next production.”

Bill Howarth – Founder and member of Maghull U3A:- “They gave a very good account of their diverse talents and stage production in this performance of Christopher Wortley’s Musical Farce “Act Your Age”, an appropriate title for a cast of over 60’s, well prepared to do the title justice. It was evident that the riotous fun and repartee of the script had been well rehearsed and were reflected in the performance. Outstanding throughout were Valerie (Dorothy Prothero) and Pat (Maureen Morris) in “Stage Owning ” performances, with Angela (Gill O’Flaherty) bringing glamour to the set. The transformed cast in exciting costumes and a tricky moment involving towels complimented the main players. Both set design and lighting deserve credit for an outstanding set as does the Musical Director, Doreen Bridson. The journey from the old folks home to a celebratory clinic provided an abundance of laughs amongst many good performances. Well Done !!!”

!! U3A Christmas Lunch, Friday 16 December  LIMITED PARKING!!

Please note that parking will be limited as only half of the Ministry Centre car park (Scout HQ end) is available.

We ask for your co-operation to consider car-sharing, taxi-sharing, using 310 bus (bus info below), or walking where appropriate.

310 stops on Holborn Hill opposite the church

Bus Times, minutes past each hour – as follows

Outward              to Holborn Hill

From Holt Green at 22 and 52.

From Ormskirk Bus Station (Stand 7) at 08 and 38.

Return                  from Holborn Hill

Towards Holt Green at 13 and 43.

Towards Ormskirk Bus Station 00 and 30.

Just to remind you on times …… the sherry reception commences at noon, and the meal is served 12.30pm onwards.

Thank you for this,

Val Bullen (Chair of Social Committee).

A Communication from the U3A National Office………..

I am pleased to let you know that Eric Midwinter, one of our founders, has been asked to speak on the Radio 4 programme, “You and Yours” at lunchtime on Monday 12th December in recognition of achieving 1000 U3As. This was the programme where the U3A concept was first aired by Eric all those years ago in 1981.

I thought you may want to know in case you wish to tune in. Please let your members know too. Should you be unable to listen at that time it will be available in the episodes section of the You and Yours area of the BBC website http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qps9

Regards from,
Sam Mauger,
Chief Executive Officer,
The Third Age Trust.

If you missed the programme, it is available on the BBC Radio iPlayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b084thf4, from 33 minutes into the program.

Eight members of the group attended the morning session for our second visit to this quite new reserve by the River Alt.  A cool clear morning with light cloud meant the conditions were quite good for bird watching.  Just three members of the group stayed for the afternoon session during which the cloud steadily increased bringing rain which started just as we were leaving.

Highlight of the visit were the large flocks of pink-footed geese, lapwing, crows and pheasants feeding in the fields on the other side of the river.

Click ‘Continue reading’ for the full list of the 34 species seen:

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The session covered:

Germanic Creation Myths–

Creation mythology belonging to the Germanic tribes, including the Angles and Saxons who were settling in Britain from c400AD onwards, and there is a familiar pattern of a Sky God who mated with Mother Earth to produce the various elements of the universe.

Scandinavian Creation Myths–

The creation mythology that belonged to the Scandinavian peoples (including the Danes and Norwegians who were moving into Britain from c800 AD onwards) where it is the god Odin who is credited with creating the Earth, the sky, stars, sun, moon, and the first people.  It is suggested that Odin started his career as the Germanic god Woden, a god of wind and stormy weather, and also a god of battle and a god of the dead.  By 800 AD he had also acquired the attributes of the old Germanic sky god, and emerged as the creator of the universe and the leader of the gods.

The Scandinavian creation myths are very dynamic, with an original chaos that is all about two regions of ice and fire that clash together in the Great Void.

The first living creatures were a giant called Ymir and a cow called Audumla who feeds the giant with her milk, and Buri & Bor who are the ancestors of the gods, emerge from out of the melting ice.  Ymir produces a son, who is the first of the Frost Giants.  Bor and the Frost Giantess Bestla produce three sons Odin, Vili and Ve (it is suggested that Vili and Ve are just aspects of Odin, so we would have Odin as the “three in one”).

The Story of Ormskirk Gingerbread was wonderfully  presented by Margaret Gibbon

Followed by Gingerbread refreshments  and then a great Music Quiz  from Bill Evans with great animations and a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone.

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Five members of the group made the trip to the North of Lancashire for this visit to the RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss.  The weather was mostly cloudy but dry for the morning session with a few sunny intervals but quite cool and with quite a stiff breeze.  The
afternoon session was sunnier and warmer.

This year’s visit to Leighton Moss had been timed to give us the best chance of seeing the Bearded Tits, and we were not disappointed!

Bearded Tits are uncommon birds, but present at Leighton Moss throughout the year but stay largely hidden in the reeds except at this time of the year when they visit the bird tables for grit (not food).

Another highlight of this visit was the sighting of four Great White Egrets.  Until recently these birds were classed as vagrants but, over the last few years, they have been extending their range (still in small numbers) after first breeding in Somerset in 2012.

This Robin was determined that we would also notice the common birds!

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October’s Sunday Social included the Story of Ormskirk Gingerbread – presented by Margaret Gibbon. Margaret is the Ormskirk Gingerbread Lady as well as being the Leader of U3A Local History.

If you missed the October Sunday Social, then

make a date for a lively debate in November!

Click or tap to see full-size poster

Tablet or Smartphone – that is the Question.

• You may be thinking of buying a mobile device for a family member this Christmas.
• Or better still, you may have been asked if you’d like to be given one as your gift this year.

But if you have no or very little prior knowledge of these devices to help you choose, then this new Workshop from the Computer Courses Group may be the one for you.

As well as being given some purchase guidelines, there will be a chance to try out a range of devices and ask questions of our team of Computer Helpers.

Booking in advance is essential as class size is limited to around 6 members.  See the Computer Courses page for contact and booking details.

If you missed this workshop, then call in for help at one of our Computer Advice sessions held on Mondays and Tuesday.

If you have ideas for Computer Courses or Workshops you would like us to run, please let us know. Also, If you are already familiar with computing, why not join us to help with tuition? The reward is in giving a bit of your knowledge to someone else by passing on a very useful skill.

The Getting Started with Tablets course provided one to one tuition.

Keeping up with technology with Lil!

“Act Your Age” with the Musical Theatre Group! 

Purchase your tickets at the Musical Theatre Desk at Horizons on Thursday.

Read full details of this production on the Musical Theatre Group Page including phone contacts to order tickets.

Click or tap on the Poster to see it full-size

If you didn’t see this super show, then keep a lookout for the next one in 2017 by checking the Musical Theatre Group Page every now and then. Let’s support this group that puts in so much time and hard work to entertain us.

Six members of the group attended our latest visit to this local nature reserve.  The weather was warm and sunny in the morning, clouding over for the afternoon session which was cut short by a thunderstorm.

Click ‘Continue reading’ for the full list of species seen:

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The sessions covered:

Hindu Creation Myths-

According to Hindu mythology (in the Rig Vega) Varuna, the sky god and the god of water, willed the universe into being.  He set out the three worlds- the heavens, the Earth and the air in between the two, and “fixed the waters above the heavens”.  Varuna held the heavens above the earth and lets the waters through, little by little, to fall on the earth as rain.  Varuna was also responsible for maintaining the “good order” of the universe- he had a continuing responsibility for the universe that he created.  In later myths (in the Upanishads) Vishnu replaced Varuna as the creator god.

Greek Creation Myths-

In early Greek myths (Pelasgian myths) the goddess Eurynome was the first entity to emerge from the original Chaos.  She created the serpent Ophion, mated with him, then took the form of a dove and laid the Universal Egg.  All the elements of the universe hatched out of the egg.  Eurynome also gave birth to the gods and goddesses known as the Titans, who were responsible for maintaining order in the new universe and for keeping it safe.

In later Mycenaean myths, the goddess Night was courted by the Wind and she laid “a silver egg in the womb of darkness”.  The egg hatched and out stepped the deity Eros (not the same character as the later god of love).  Eros created the sky, sun, moon and Earth, but it was the goddess who ruled the universe.

Other Mycenaean myths, five beings emerged from the original Chaos these were Gaia (Earth), Erebus (Darkness) Nyx (Night), Tartarus (the Abyss) and Eros.  These beings created the various elements of the universe. Gaia gave birth to Uranus (the sky god) and then Gaia and Uranus produced the Titans who were to rule the universe and to make sure that good order prevailed.

Cronos, the youngest of the Titans, killed his father Uranus and took over as sky god and supreme ruler of the heavens and the earth. Cronos and his sister/wife Rhea then produced the next generation of gods, the Olympian gods- Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon and Zeus.  Zeus killed his father Cronos and took over from him as the sky god, ruler of the gods, and supreme ruler of the universe.

Some Greek myths say that the first humans emerged spontaneously from the earth.  According to other myths, the first men were created by the Titan Prometheus from clay and water. The goddess Athene (Zeus’ daughter) breathed life into the figures.  The first woman (Pandora) was created by Zeus (or on Zeus’ orders) to cause trouble for Prometheus, with whom Zeus had a running feud.

S. H. Hooke, “Middle Eastern Mythology”, London, Penguin, 1963

Donald MacKenzie, “Mythology of the Babylonian People”, London, Bracken Books, 1996.

The Folklore Society which studies all aspects of folklore and tradition – http://folklore-society.com/

Steve Round, “A Pocket  Guide to the Superstitions of the British Isles”, Penguin, 2004

Steve Round,  “The English Year”, Penguin, 2006

Christina Hole and E & M.A. Radford, “The Encyclopedia of Superstitions”, revised edition published by Helicon, 1995

Brian Day,  “Chronicle  of Celtic Folk Customs”,  Hamlyn, 2000

Two more general books on folklore  and legends from all over the country:-

Jennifer Westwood,  “Albion: A Guide to Legendary Britain”, first published 1985, paperback edition Harper Collins, 1994

Jennifer Westwood & Jacqueline Simpson,   “The Lore of the Land: A Guide to England’s Legends”,  Penguin, 2005, paperback edition 2006.

These can be difficult to find so try your local library which may be able to order them for you or look in second hand bookshops or charity shops.

Denise Lathom presented us with 3 Somerset Maugham films which we thoroughly enjoyed, even when the ‘reel’ broke down.     We had ice creams at the interval served by our very own usherette Pauline Jones

Pearl Webster  (recital)

Val Bullen (Guitar Sing-a-long)

Bill Evans  (quiz & music)

Denise Latham (Flowers are Fun)

Winner of ‘Flowers are Fun’ – Pauline Rigby & Team

Our Secretary, Linda Burden, has asked that the NW Region Magazine is given a special mention on this website along with the details and application form for a course they are running in Liverpool on Thursday 13 October called Different Approaches to Learning. It is is open to all members of our U3A.

By the way, our very own member, Derrick  Fewings,  is the webmaster for the interesting and informative NW Region website.

We downsized several years ago,
Decided our piano would have to go.
It was a Bechstein, one of the best
But it sounded like a honky tonk from the far Wild West.
The music stool and the music went too.
I sold my musical traumas – I’d had more than a few!
I had less than fond memories of teachers that shout.
My musical evenings were over and out.

But where’s my piano? I wanted it back.
OK. It was old. The white notes had gone black.
There’s nowhere to put photos and candles any more
And those wooden elephants are stuck on the floor.
Ouch! I’ve tripped over them again. There’s a lump on my head.
They’ve got to go somewhere, maybe out in the shed.
Joking apart, there’s a space in my heart.
I’d been too impulsive, trying to make a new start.

So I tripped along to the keyboard store
And had a tour which left me more
Confused by a hundred keyboards all shapes and sizes,
Pianos dressed in smart disguises.
Touch a note, a whole orchestra plays.
Is that what I want? I’m trapped in a daze.
And there’s no room for the elephants on a Yamaha top.
They’ll have to emigrate to the Oxfam shop.

There’s an ad in the paper. It’s just down the road.
A keyboard for sale £40.  I’ll be blowed!”
Still in the box, pristine but I bet
There’s no orchestra. Well what do you get
For £40? I wonder how it sounds.

I went along to U3A
With my second hand keyboard, just feeling my way.
My new toy did fantastic things.
So clever and light! Such pleasure it brings.
But……at the Keyboard Group there were magnificent things.
Tyros 3 and Tyros 4,
They sound like bulls without the gore.
I raise my cape. Into battle!
I’ll show those Tyros 3 and 4.

And now my teacher’s Doreen or Dee.
She wouldn’t dare to shout at me
Because I’m scary now and tough
And playing just like Rachmaninuff!
Well, the keyboard does half the stuff.

Thanks Dee for all your kind advice.
The £1 coin a very small price
For the help we get and encouragement,
But the inspiration brings discontent.
I want to be creative, I want to be bold
But my fingers refuse to do as they’re told.
I fancy playing jazz to relive my youth.
Well, I never went to a jazz club to tell the truth!

We listen hard and practise scales,
Make progress like a bunch of snails.
We’ll never be Chopin or Charlie Kunz
But we still produce some damn good tunes.
And we all feel we’ve made a friend.
I hope our meetings never end.
Pat Morton

Dee is the leader of the Keyboard Group and I wrote this poem for her birthday. The poem tells its own story but I must add how much I enjoy being part of the group. I have made some good friends and learnt such a lot, although there is always so much more to learn. I benefit so much from the various groups I belong to and I am immensely grateful to the U3A for giving me these opportunities. Long may it continue to flourish!

Find out ‘What glaciers have done for us’ in a presentation by Dr Frank Nicholson at a special meeting of the Earth/Geology Group at 2:00 pm on Friday 16th September.

Dr Frank Nicholson is a retired lecturer in Physical Geography and Earth Science at Liverpool John Moores University. He will explain and illustrate how glaciers reshaped our geography, changed our climate and still provides us with diverse resources from agricultural land to hydroelectricity. He will explain how glaciers form, how they move and the effect such movement has on the land they overflow. His illustrations are drawn from the Wirral and across the world.

Anyone interested is most welcome.

Colin Redwood

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Topic 1 – A Spring Garden – Click an image for slideshow

1st Mike Williams

2nd Eleanor Wroe

3rd Alan Starkie

4th Pauline Smith

Topic 2 – Sport –  Click an image for slideshow

3rd Chris Chapman

2nd Mike Williams

1st Richard Jones

4th = Sue Denny

4th= Chris Denny

Mallards in eclipse plumage at Parbold

This was the group’s first visit to Parbold.  Starting from the sports ground car park a two mile circuit took in a wide variety of habitats including farmland, wildflower meadow, woodland, river and canalside.  The breezy conditions kept many of the smaller birds in the trees making identification difficult but nevertheless an enjoyable morning attended by 10 members of the group.

One of the highlights of the visit came right at the end when we had a good view of a Whitethroat, thanks to Eric for first spotting it!

Click ‘Continue reading’ for the full list of species seen on this visit:

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Age UK and local organisations that support older people are putting on a series of Roadshows in the Borough:

On Wednesday 28th September at Aughton Village Hall, between 10.30 and 12.30 p.m. there will be a coffee and information event, hosted by the Hob Nobs Coffee Club. Representatives of the following organisations will be available to answer questions:

Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Dial a Ride, Lancs Wellbeing Service, NCompass NW Carers’ Support, West Lancs Borough Council’s Money Advice Service, Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service, West Lancashire Council for Voluntary Service and our own U3A.

Do come along, bring any friends and neighbours who may need help.

Sue Watkinson

Join us after the summer break for a talk on the Future of  Computing led by visiting presenter Maurice George.

See the Computer Tutorials Group page for details.